A system is disclosed and includes a network interface to receive a first Internet Protocol (IP) message within a first Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call over a network, where the first IP message carries a first Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) signal. The system also includes a processor to receive the first IP message from the network interface and to extract the first MIDI signal from the first IP message.
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1. A system comprising: a network interface of a first device, the network interface configured to: send an outgoing internet protocol message to a conference bridge, wherein the outgoing internet protocol message includes one or more of an audio signal, a video signal, and a musical instrument digital interface signal, and wherein the conference bridge establishes a voice over internet protocol call between the first device, a second device, and a mix box external to the conference bridge; receive an incoming internet protocol message from the conference bridge, wherein the incoming internet protocol message comprises a mixed audio signal produced by the conference bridge from the outgoing internet protocol message and one or more second outgoing internet protocol messages received by the conference bridge from the second device, wherein the mix box sets a mixing level for each audio signal used to produce the mixed audio signal; a processor to process the incoming internet protocol message to generate an output; and an output port to receive the output produced by the processor.
A system for VoIP music conferencing includes a network interface on a device that sends audio, video, or MIDI signals to a conference bridge. The bridge establishes a VoIP call between the device, another device, and a mixing component external to the bridge. The network interface also receives a mixed audio signal from the bridge, created from the sent signals and signals from the other device, where the mixing component adjusts the level of each audio signal in the mix. A processor then processes the mixed audio signal to create an output, which is delivered through an output port.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the output port includes a musical instrument digital interface output port to receive a first musical instrument digital interface signal from the processor and to output the first musical instrument digital interface signal.
The system described above, where the output port is a MIDI output port. This port receives a MIDI signal from the processor and outputs that MIDI signal. The system facilitates transmission and reception of MIDI data within a VoIP conference.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the output port comprises a video output port configured to be coupled to a display device.
The system described where the output port is a video output port. This port is configured to connect to a display device, enabling video signals received during the VoIP conference to be shown on a screen.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the incoming internet protocol message includes a mixed video signal.
The system described earlier where the incoming internet protocol message includes a mixed video signal, meaning the conference bridge is also mixing video signals received from multiple participants.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the mixed video signal is associated with a conductor and one or more performers, and wherein the mixed video signal represents a display of the conductor surrounded by pictures of the one or more performers and a picture of a performer associated with the first device.
The system described previously where the mixed video signal displays a conductor surrounded by images of performers, including the performer associated with the device. This creates a visual representation of a virtual ensemble performance where a conductor's video is composited with performer videos for a remote audience.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor generates the outgoing internet protocol internet protocol message from input received via one or more input ports.
The system described initially where the processor creates the outgoing internet protocol message by processing input received from one or more input ports. Therefore, user input or data feeds can be translated into the audio, video, or MIDI signals sent to the conference bridge.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the one or more input ports comprise at least one musical instrument digital interface port.
The system described above with the outgoing internet protocol message where the one or more input ports include at least one MIDI port. This allows the system to receive MIDI input directly from a MIDI instrument or controller.
8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a through-network chaining port in communication with the processor.
The system described initially further includes a through-network chaining port connected to the processor. This chaining port allows for further expansion of the system's capabilities.
9. The system of claim 8 , further comprising a third device coupled to the through-network chaining port to expand a number of input ports supported at a location associated with the first device.
The system described with the through-network chaining port further includes a third device connected to this port. This third device expands the number of input ports supported at the location of the first device, increasing its capacity to handle multiple audio, video, or MIDI inputs.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor and the network interface are integrated within a set-top box associated with an internet protocol television service.
This invention describes a system integrated within a **set-top box**, typically associated with an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service, for participating in a VOIP music conferencing system. This set-top box system comprises: 1. **An integrated network interface** configured to: * Send outgoing Internet Protocol (IP) messages to a conference bridge. These messages can include audio, video, or Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) signals. * Facilitate the conference bridge establishing a Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) call between this set-top box, at least one other participant device, and a separate, external mix box. * Receive incoming IP messages from the conference bridge. These messages contain a mixed audio signal, generated by the conference bridge from all participants' outgoing messages. The external mix box controls the mixing levels for each individual audio signal within this mixed output. 2. **An integrated processor** (sharing the same set-top box enclosure as the network interface) to process the received incoming IP message and generate a suitable output. 3. **An output port** on the set-top box to receive and output the signal generated by the processor. ERROR (embedding): Error: Failed to save embedding: Could not find the 'embedding' column of 'patent_claims' in the schema cache
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor and the network interface are integrated within a computer that is coupled to an Internet service.
The system described initially where the processor and network interface are integrated into a computer that is connected to the Internet. This allows the VoIP music conferencing to be used on a standard computer.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the conference bridge includes an audio mixer, a video mixer, and a musical instrument digital interface mixer.
The system described initially where the conference bridge includes an audio mixer, a video mixer, and a MIDI mixer. This indicates the conference bridge's capability to mix all three signal types during a VoIP conference.
13. A system comprising: a voice over internet protocol conference bridge to: receive input internet protocol messages from two or more devices coupled to the voice over internet protocol conference bridge as participants of a voice over internet protocol call, wherein each internet protocol message includes one or more of an audio signal, a video signal, and a musical instrument digital interface signal; send output internet protocol messages to the two or more devices, wherein the output internet protocol messages include a mixed audio signal; an audio mixer coupled to the voice over internet protocol conference bridge to generate the mixed audio signal, wherein the mixed audio signal includes one or more of the signals received from the two or more devices; and mix controls coupled to the audio mixer, wherein the mix controls enable user input that controls a level of each signal used by the audio mixer to generate the mixed audio signal.
A VoIP conference bridge system that receives audio, video, or MIDI signals from two or more devices participating in a VoIP call and sends mixed audio signals back to these devices. An audio mixer generates the mixed audio signal from the signals received from the participants. Mix controls connected to the audio mixer allow users to adjust the levels of each signal in the mix.
14. The system of claim 13 , further comprising a video mixer coupled to the voice over internet protocol conference bridge, wherein the video mixer is configured to add a mixed video message to the output internet protocol message when the input internet protocol messages from the two or more devices include a video signal.
The VoIP conference bridge system described above further including a video mixer coupled to the bridge. The video mixer adds a mixed video signal to the output if the input from devices includes video, extending the mixing capability to video signals.
15. The system of claim 13 , further comprising a recorder coupled to the voice over internet protocol conference bridge to record separate tracks of audio from the input internet protocol messages.
The VoIP conference bridge system described initially further comprising a recorder coupled to the bridge. The recorder records separate audio tracks from each participant's input, enabling isolated recordings of individual instruments or voices.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the recorder is configured to record the mixed audio signal, a mixed video signal, and a mixed musical instrument digital interface signal.
The VoIP conference bridge system with the recorder, where the recorder records the mixed audio signal, a mixed video signal, and a mixed MIDI signal. This allows for comprehensive recording of the entire VoIP conference session.
17. The system of claim 13 , wherein the voice over internet protocol conference bridge is operable to automatically assign a port to each of the plurality of incoming voice over internet protocol calls.
The VoIP conference bridge system described where the bridge automatically assigns a port to each incoming VoIP call. This simplifies connection management for multiple participants.
18. The system of claim 13 , wherein the voice over internet protocol conference bridge is responsive to a port number requested via one of the plurality of incoming voice over internet protocol calls.
The VoIP conference bridge system described initially where the bridge responds to a requested port number from an incoming VoIP call. This enables specific port assignments for incoming connections, facilitating more complex routing scenarios.
19. A computer-readable storage device that stores processor-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to: send an outgoing internet protocol message to a conference bridge, wherein the outgoing internet protocol message includes one or more of an audio signal, a video signal, and a musical instrument digital interface signal, and wherein the conference bridge establishes a voice over internet protocol call between the first device, at least one second device, and a mix box external to the conference bridge; receive an incoming internet protocol message from the conference bridge, wherein the incoming internet protocol message comprises a mixed audio signal produced by the conference bridge from the outgoing internet protocol message and one or more second outgoing internet protocol messages received by the conference bridge from the at least one second device, wherein the mix box sets a mixing level for each audio signal used to produce the mixed audio signal; process the incoming internet protocol message to generate an output; and send portions of the output to one or more output ports.
A computer-readable storage device (e.g., a hard drive or flash drive) contains instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to send audio, video, or MIDI signals to a conference bridge, which establishes a VoIP call between a device, at least one other device, and a separate mixing component. The processor also receives a mixed audio signal back from the bridge, generated from the device's signals and the signals from the other device, where the separate mixing component adjusts the mixing levels. The processor then processes the mixed audio and sends portions of the resulting output to one or more output ports.
20. The computer-readable storage device of claim 19 , wherein the output includes a musical instrument digital interface signal, and wherein the one or more output ports include a musical instrument digital interface output port that receives the musical instrument digital interface signal.
The computer-readable storage device described above, where the output includes a MIDI signal and the output port is a MIDI output port. This allows the system to transmit MIDI data as part of the VoIP communication.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
March 2, 2009
September 3, 2013
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